Filipino nurse tests negative for MERS coronavirus: RITM

In a follow up to a report last week concerning a Filipino nurse working in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and was exposed to an overseas worker who died from the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and tested positive for the virus in the UAE, has turned out negative for the novel coronavirus according to the Philippines Department of Health (DOH) Saturday.

Image/Philippines DOH Facebook page

In a press release posted on their Facebook page, the DOH reports that testing on the nurse by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) was negative.

According to Health Secretary Enrique Ona, “I have approved the issuance of a Bureau of Quarantine alert bulletin to those travelling from the Middle East and through our international airports so that those who may be affected by the MERS-Corona Virus will be given prompt assistance.

“As there are tens of thousands of Filipinos working in the Middle East and hundreds of them who travel to the Middle East or return home from their jobs there daily, it is important that their families, relatives, friends, neighbors and all members of their local communities fully understand all that must be known about MERS-CoV.”

Concerning the travels of the Filipino nurse who tested positive in the UAE, health officials note because he was considered a positive carrier on the seven hour flight from Abu Dhabi to Manila last Tuesday, passengers in close contact with him during the flight, were at risk of infection.

“We are also calling the attention of Filipinos who have returned recently from the Middle East to report to the nearest hospital if they experience symptoms of the MERS-Corona Virus which are similar to the indications of flu, including fever with cough, cold, or sneezing,” officials said.